THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Repression is not Morality: The Consequences of Sexual Suppression

I read this interesting article. It makes some good points but I think some mistakes have been made in that it puts the blame for sexual moral problems at sexual repression (which is true) but it makes the claim that its because of the Bible and the Qur'an and the great patristic monotheistic religions - Christianity, Islam, and Judaism and this I think is a mistake. The problem with sexual repression isn't ethic or moral standards. The problem is lack of them. I can't talk about Islam nor Judaism because I'm neither Muslim nor Jew. As a Christian, I blame the church for not teaching what God has said regarding sexuality. Sex was never meant to bring condemnation but joy and closeness. The only catch is that it has to be in a monogamous married relationship between a man and woman. Within these parameters we can truly be free and not repressed. If you want God's best you have to follow God and not your own way. We can trust Him.

THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Repression is not Morality: The Consequences of Sexual Suppression

CNN's Don Lemon Admits Being Victim of Sexual Abuse In Midst of Bishop Eddie Long Controversy - The Snob Blog - Danielle Belton's The Black Snob

This article brings up some important information. I didn't know that Don Lemon has had to deal with such a thing as being victimized as a child. This crime is extremely widespread. A lot og lives have been destroyed. The cause? Simple - Sin. People behaving and acting against the standard God has for us. I'm not talking about the victims...I'm talking about the perpetrators. The victims suffer. The truth is so does the perpetrator. There is only one answer out of this - Jesus. Jesus can heal both the abuser and the victim.

In a rare, revealing moment on television, CNN's Don Lemon admitted for the first time in public that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. While conducting a televised discussion with a group of Bishop Eddie Long supporters Saturday, Lemon recalled abuse that started when he was six-years-old. As reported on Richard Prince's Journal-ism's blog for the Maynard Institute, Lemon said he hid the secret of his abuse until he was 30 years old because of shame.

CNN's Don Lemon Admits Being Victim of Sexual Abuse In Midst of Bishop Eddie Long Controversy - The Snob Blog - Danielle Belton's The Black Snob

Superhero Psychology - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Here is a video of real psychologists discussing whether or not characters like Batman are insane. They also discuss supervillians. Looking at such questions are real interesting and help in understanding psychology in such "case studies".



Crazy Sexy Geeks: Superhero Psychology Part 1 - Batman from Alan Kistler on Vimeo.

Link Ink: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, 'Pushing Daisies' as a Comic, and Superhero Psychology - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Apologetics 315: Mortimer J. Adler on Faith and Reason

Brian Auten has posted a great quote by Mortimer J. Adler about Faith. Considering the past couple of posts yesterday I posted about what "faith" is and what "faith" isn't I thought that this quote was great.
"I suspect that most of the individuals who have religious faith are content with blind faith. They feel no obligation to understand what they believe. They may even wish not to have their beliefs disturbed by thought. But if God in whom they believe created them with intellectual and rational powers, that imposes upon them the duty to try to understand the creed of their religion. Not to do so is to verge on superstition."
- Mortimer J. Adler
I agree with him. God commands us to understand what we believe and why we believe it. We should be able to talk to explain it.
Apologetics 315: Mortimer J. Adler on Faith and Reason

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: The Assumption of Mary: An Analysis of the Recent Debate with Robert Sungenis

It is always great to hear what debaters think after a debate. James White was interviewed on Iron Sharpens Iron on his debate against Robert Sungenis regarding the bodily assumption of Mary. I listened to the debate last week and I think Dr. White more than proved his point. There is no Biblical nor historical reason to believe that Mary went to heaven bodily. You also cannot prove anyone in the first 4 centuries believed it - let alone taught it. This is a great interview!

Iron Sharpens Iron: James R. White: The Assumption of Mary: An Analysis of the Recent Debate with Robert Sungenis

Bishop Eddie Long | Minute-by-minute recap of Long's comments Sunday | ajc.com

Thanks to the Black Snob blog I got this link for the full transcript and video of Bishop Eddie Long's comments to his congregation today regarding the scandal that broke earlier this week. IT was not what I was hoping for. He made no apology nor did he plead his innocence. What we want to know is did he use his power and influence to force young men to have sex with him - thereby sinning against his wife, the children, and their families, and worse against God? This is sexual abuse in the extreme. This is the answer he did not give. I'm definitely going to be following this story.


Bishop Eddie Long | Minute-by-minute recap of Long's comments Sunday | ajc.com

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FacePalm of the Day #3

Luckily this is just a single FacePalm. John Loftus has posted an interesting quote. It's due an amazing presupposition.

I have been able to pose the Outsider Test for Faith OTF to a few Christian friends of mine... and this has shown to be very well accepted as a means of seeking and questioning. They agree with the approach, and some have even admitted that they've never given so much as a minute of thought to the outside religions and faiths of the world. The quote "when you understand why you reject the gods of other religions, you'll understand why I reject yours." Powerful quote... because people don't know why they reject the other gods and faiths... so now, the question is brought to their attention... and either they must continue in their blissful ignorance, or begin an honest examination of WHY they believe what they believe.
For me, this is the most honest, non-threatening approach to discussions with a theist.

The presupposition is this: No Christians ever think about why reject other religions. This is amazing to me. I must agree that there is truth in there. Many Christians could not really make an adequate defense for why they believe what they believe let alone explain what they believe. This is a silly presupposition because its not true about all Christians. I also really dislike the use of

The quote "when you understand why you reject the gods of other religions, you'll understand why I reject yours."

It presupposes that all evidence for any truth claim for all religions are uncompelling and absent. This is false. I'd say that there are many atheists who haven't the foggiest idea what evidences there are for the Bible or Christianity and have never bothered to really look into it. I am a Christian who have looked at and examined evidences and have more than found it compelling. What about those atheists and agnostics who have done the same and come up with a different result? The Bible gives answers - they don't conflict but they must be taken together.

²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." - John 3:21

¹⁸The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20

⁵Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

²⁴"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
²⁹"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. ³⁰In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. ³¹For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." Acts 17:24-31

²Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. ³And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Cor 4:2-4

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." - 1 Corinthians 1:18-19

Quote of the Day, by Isaac

Answering Muslims: Blunder of Dearborn Judge Mark Somers Gets Negeen Mayel Convicted

There has been good new and bad news regarding the arrest of Nabeel Qureshi, Paul Rezkalla, Negeen Mayel, and David Wood last July for witnessing to Muslims and video taping it in Dearborn, MI. They all have aquitted except Nageen. Nageen is young woman who may be small in statue but she is big in courage. She was man-handled and inappropriate comments about how body while she was under arrest - yet she was found guilty of “Failure to Obey a Police Officer’s Direction or Order.” I think that they had to make one of them take the fall for something and picked her because of her race and gender and religion. I sure hope they don't get away with this!


Answering Muslims: Blunder of Dearborn Judge Mark Somers Gets Negeen Mayel Convicted

Debunking Christianity: Faith is Equivalent to Irrationality - Face Palm Quote #2

John Loftus posted this today. It's so bad it deserves the "Double Face Palm Award"

Yep, that's what I've concluded. I was talking to a Catholic today about Stephen Hawking's new book where he says God doesn't exist based on science. So he responded, "That's why they call it faith." Yep, faith doesn't need scientific evidence. It's irrational. I want everyone to think "Irrational" whenever someone says the word "faith" because that's what it is.

Why is this silly? It's silly because he mis-defines "Faith" - at least the way the Bible defines it. "Faith" does not mean you believe something despite evidence to the contrary. I totally agree that is irrational but again that is not what Abraham nor anyone in the Bible was commended for doing. I agree that faith might mean believing something contrary to what you think otherwise would be rational but this is different than rejecting scientific fact that you can objectively prove. Let's look at what the Bible defines as faith.
 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Look "faith", "pistis", has two parts. One part is about being certain in hope - not a vain hope -  but an expectant hope that you will see God do what he promised. Every instance of faith in the Bible was depended on a relationship with Go The second pd in which he made promise(s) to the one who had faith and that person walked in that faith. Look at the entire list of  heroes in the Hebrews 11 and that is something they all have in common and the second part of faith is that it is it's own evidence, but not of what does not exist. Rather faith is evidence of things we do not see. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it is not real.
 What does a standard lexicon say about "pistis"?

1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
   
   1. relating to God
      
      1. the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
   2. relating to Christ
      
      1. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
   3. the religious beliefs of Christians
   4. belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
2. fidelity, faithfulness
   
   1. the character of one who can be relied on

 See? Nothing like what John Loftus says "Faith" is.
Debunking Christianity: Faith is Equivalent to Irrationality

THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: The Greatest Story Never Told: Black Clergy Sexual Abuse

Okay, I'm sure everyone - well most everyone has heard about Bishop Eddie Long being arrested for trying to force another man to have sex with him.  A whole lot of the secrets he has tried to keep hidden have come to light.
When catholic priest do these things, protestants usually look down our noses at them says, "Figures...with the way they don't allow priests to marry. No wonder.That is not in the Bible." So what do we say when this happens in Protestant Churches in general or black churches in particular? It is because of sin pure and simple. It's horrible and its not right. And when Christians see people claiming to be Christians and engaging in sins of any kind, even sexual sins, we have the responsible and mandate to call attention to it. If the sinner refuses to stop and repent, but the sin is not illegal, the sinner should leave the church. If the sinner has committed something illegal the sinner should be reported to the authorities.  It's horrible that such things take place. And I know it takes place in the Church of God in Christ, but not everywhere and not by everyone who has a position of authority abuses it. I don't think that these things can be put at the blame of the Bible and God is most definitely not responsible and definitely not the fault of the victims. It's the fault of the perpetrators and those who allow it.
I like this post I linked to. It does a fair job of pointing out the problem without making it seem like an indictment of black churches. In addition the link that was provided to Report COGIC Abuse makes it clear that these are people who desire only to hold people accountable and protect people not that they hate Christianity.
As a member of the clergy of the Church of God in Christ it is my duty to speak out and say that it is wrong and God does not like it. God promises those who are in position of authority in Churches are held to a higher standard and what is done in the dark comes out. We should all take heed a lives lives of holiness committed to righteousness!

 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. - James 3:1



¹³ Now all has been heard;
       here is the conclusion of the matter:
       Fear God and keep his commandments,
       for this is the whole duty of man.
 ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
       including every hidden thing,
       whether it is good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: The Greatest Story Never Told: Black Clergy Sexual Abuse

Apologetics 315: Francis Schaeffer Lecture on Apologetics MP3

Brian Auten has posted a great lecture by Francis Schaeffer. I doubly appreciate it because although I have heard a lot about him I have not actually heard or read much of his material yet. In this lecture he discusses what Apologetics is and his approach. Follow the link below to hear it.

Apologetics 315: Francis Schaeffer Lecture on Apologetics MP3

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Book « Is the Qur’an the Word of God?

Here is a book tha tI think I may try to get  my hands on. From the table of contents, it seems to be a good overview of the Qur'an.  I found out about it from a link tweeted by Brian Auten.

Book « Is the Qur’an the Word of God?

Brennon's Thoughts: Verses All Arminians Should Know Part 7

Brennon has posted a great list of scriptures that support Arminianism. I'm not certain that they support the Arminian position. Rather than try to responding to them all at once, I will break them down into several posts based on how the list is presented.This topic interests me because I really wanna  I know what the Bible says. Here is part 7 regarding the idea that Bible teaches that sin is not from God.. I don't think that there has ever been a Christian who would try to argue that God is responsible for our sins.


Verses showing sin is not from God

• Jeremiah 7:24

 ²⁴ But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

This true of every single human being! We have all done this. It's describing the state of men. If anything
I view the passage teaching about the "Total Depravity" of humanity.

• James 1:13-15

  ¹³When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

I totally agree. Neither Total Depravity nor Determinism lays the blame for sin at the feet of God. We are responsible for our sins and following the evil inclinations of our own hearts. 

• 1 John 2:16

¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.

Amen. Total agreement. I don't think that these verses refute Reformed theology at all.  Reformed Theologians do not argue that the origin of  a man's sin comes from God. Rather it is our salvation that totally comes from God. The sin part - the need for that salvation - is because of what we are. We own that. I think most Christians agree that God can use the consequences of our sins to accomplish his purposes given:



Remember what Joseph told his brothers who some 30 years earlier sold him into slavery:

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.  - Genesis 50:19-21

What about Romans 8:28-29

 ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29

However this does not mean that God forces anyone to do evil. We know that God doesn't force people to do evil. I'd argue that on our own evil is all we are capable of. When we do a good, selfless thing - believers and non-believers alike - it is because of God's grace. 

Brennon's Thoughts: Verses All Arminians Should Know

Apologetics 315: How to Get Apologetics in Your Church: How We Got Apologetics in Our Church

My article on how to get Apologetics into one's church has been posted at Apologetics 315. Thanks, Brian.

Apologetics 315: How to Get Apologetics in Your Church: How We Got Apologetics in Our Church

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Servetus, Calvin, etc.

I found this great article about John Calvin and Michael Servetus. I find church history very important and awesome. And this particular blog is certain to always deliver great content. This particular is also different because it contains not just text but a gadget that reads the text in the posts for you! Check out the post it has great information. 

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Servetus, Calvin, etc.

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The FacePalm of the Day #1

A couple of weeks ago  I was challenged by Brosho7 on John Loftus' blog that I don't really follow Jesus because I've been attempting to talk to people about Christ on Loftus' blog and no body there wants to listen or hear it. I agree that many people there don't want to have their ideas or worldviews challenged. Brosho7  said that I wasn't following Jesus' words in Matthew 7:6:

 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

I asked Brosho7 if he was calling himself and all other atheists and agnostics on the blog "swine". I then told him if he was willing to admit to being swine I  would never post on Debunking Christianity again. I admit that I don't think of anyone there as being unworthy of the Gospel or as good as pigs, so I knew BroSho7 would not  go there.  And he didn't. As a matter of fact the comment hung out there for over a week without a comment form anyone. He brought it up again on Monday, and I issued the same challenge.

Much to my surprise another commenter GearHedEd wrote today. His comment wins my "FacePalm of the day" award because it's just bad.

Oh, yeah...


Oink, oink, oinkity oink, Marcus.

I'm a pig.

Now go away like you promised.

Post

a comment.

Unsubscribe

to comments on this post.

Posted by GearHedEd to Debunking Christianity

at September 21, 2010 6:17 PM

So GearHedEd would rather admit to being a pig to give himself an out rather than to continue discussions. He actually did me a favor of showing just how lost he really is. I am going to do as I promised and not post anymore comments on Debunking  Christianity anymore. I'll just keep praying for the people there that God would save them and heal them. and protect them. A mindset like that can only be changed with the grace of God.

Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by Erkki

John Loftus re-posted the comments from one of the comments made by one of his readers who goes by the name Erkki. Obviously, Loftus thinks that this is a well-reasoned argument.

Punishment has to serve a purpose, other than satisfying the punisher's lust for vengeance, in order to be of use. However, the Biblegod's version of punishment means that if you don't believe, your punishment never stops. It's pure vengeance. Unconditional love means that you use punishment only to correct and reform the wrongdoer. It's still tough love enough, for punishment is always tough to go through, but of course temporary, corrective punishment for sins is "too vanilla" or "too soft on sin" to please the conservative/fundamentalist segment of Christianity, heh. There's that lust for violence in the believers who adamantly preach that anyone who doesn't believe as they believe go to hell. It's a perversion, really.
I'm an atheist and I'm opposed to any religion that teaches the monstrosity of everlasting hell. So revolting is this concept that I can't see why any rational human being could accept this fear-mongering nonsense. But I'm sure if God exists, he's much nicer than the religious fanatics portray him to be. And more willing to correct even the worst villain ever and punish him only to cleanse him of his sins altogether. Because this is true love: to redeem even the worst among humans. Otherwise Satan or whoever is responsible for making humans sin is more powerful than God himself.

There are several points here I think are missed by people who holds Erkki's view of God's nature, character, and what hell is.
1. Hell is not just about punishment. No one goes to hell for what they did but because of what they are - sinners. We all deserve to go to hell. We all have earned God's wrath because we are not holy.
2. Think about what Erkki is saying: Unconditional love means that you use punishment only to correct and reform the wrongdoer. It's still tough love enough, for punishment is always tough to go through, but of course temporary, corrective punishment for sins is "too vanilla" or "too soft on sin" to please the conservative/fundamentalist segment of Christianity, heh. Who said? How was this conclusion reached? We have a characterization of "unconditional love" given without any proof that it's correct. I would argue that God has provided the means so that we can be cleansed of sin and be with Him forever - Jesus' atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Why should God allow you to avoid hell if you reject his grace and demand that you do it your own way?
3. How is this fear-mongering? How is this nonsense? Do you let people come in your house and do whatever they want no matter what you think? Nope. We live in God's universe. Why would God not have the right to enforce His will and standards regardless of what you think of those standards? He has every right.
4. What is there to fear if you obey God? In Jesus there is no condemnation. If hell frightens you, just put your faith in Christ. Simple.
Debunking Christianity: Quote of the Day, by Erkki

Answering Muslims: Pastor Speaks the Truth about Islam

Nabeel has posted a great video of  Dr. Jeffress making comment about Islam that has not cost him a lot of insults and character assassination. I'm wondering how long will it be before the only people you can publicly and strongly disagree with will be Christians without ridicule.


Answering Muslims: Pastor Speaks the Truth about Islam

Pés Descalços Evangelismo - Servos de um Soberano Deus: O Cristianismo é Verdadeiro? - 23 Ensaios

Oh well I just found out from a tweet from Brian Auten that the series of essays he published and I contributed to is going to be translated to Portuguese! Wow. I never imagined. However many of the articles should be spread widely and translated to as many languages as possible.

Pés Descalços Evangelismo - Servos de um Soberano Deus: O Cristianismo é Verdadeiro? - 23 Ensaios

Use this link to read the post in English.

Brian has already made good on the promise to collecting the series into a free e-book. Here is my post on it containing a link to get it in English.

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Ellis Potter

Yesterday Brian Auten posted an awesome interview. He interviewed Ellis Potter a man who came to Christ through a very interesting life path. I enjoyed listening to his testimony. I enjoyed listening to his advice also. There was so much there that I can use. I highly recommend listening to this interview!

Apologetics 315: Apologist Interview: Ellis Potter